Track notes: Another silver for Felix

Maybe Allyson Felixis simply an odd-year runner. The even-numbered years are a different matter.

At the Athens Olympics in 2004, Felix was an 18-year-old neophyte and she raced to the silver medal in the 200 meters behind Veronica Campbellof Jamaica.

Felix improved markedly the next year and in 2005 was world champion, a title she earned again in 2007. Off of last year's performance, Felix was thought to be the favorite to earn the gold medal in Beijing.

But Felix became sidetracked by ancillary events this season and raced just twice at 200 meters coming into the 2008 Games, finishing fourth in her last race before Beijing.

It proved decisive as Felix was under-raced and not up to the challenge of her primary rival, the now-married Campbell-Brown.

"I was extremely nervous because as Olympic champion, I have to come out and compete. Everyone (from Jamaica) was running fast. I had to do my part," Campbell-Brown said.

Running in adjacent lanes, Campbell-Brown was the stronger runner down the straight and won easily in 21.74 seconds, making her the eighth fastest 200 meter runner ever. Felix, duplicating the silver medal she won in this event in Athens, ran a seasonal best 21.93 but was well beaten at the line.

Portugal's Nelson Evora competes during the men's triple jump final at the National Stadium in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 21, 2008. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) less

Portugal's Nelson Evora competes during the men's triple jump final at the National Stadium in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 21, 2008. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN ... more

Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP/Getty Images

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Allyson Felix of the United States took second place in the women's 200m final and the silver medal held at the National Stadium during Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 in Beijing, China. less

Allyson Felix of the United States took second place in the women's 200m final and the silver medal held at the National Stadium during Day 13 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 21, 2008 in Beijing, ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Track notes: Another silver for Felix

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Jamaica's Kerron Stewartpicked up the bronze medal with a time of 22.00.

"I think you can imagine how I feel - pretty devastated," Felix said. "I knew I should have been stronger. I saw her (Campbell-Brown) cruise right by me. I expected more from myself."

Campbell-Brown was much the stronger runner as she and Felix made for the finish. Felix did well to move from fourth to second in the final 70 meters.

"That's my strong point," the Jamaican winner said. "The main thing was to get away from her (Felix) and the rest of the field."

Liu-less final: With Chinese national hero Liu Xiang injured and out of the competition, Cuba's Dayron Robles dominated the 110 hurdles, running away with the gold medal in 12.93.

"I felt calm before going into the competition," Robles said. "I was confident about how things would go. I love China and Liu Xiang is my friend. I know he is very big in China."

Robles, well clear of the field, was distantly followed across the line by Americans David Payne in 13.17 and David Oliverin 13.18 for the silver and bronze medals.

Halfway point: American Bryan Clay, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, led after the first day of the decathlon with 4,521 points. His nearest competitors were Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus at 4,433 and Trey Hardee of the U.S. at 4,428.

For the first five events Clay ran the 100 in 10.44, went 25-6 1/4 in the long jump, put the shot a lifetime best 53-4 1/2, cleared 6-6 1/4 in the high jump and finished off his day by running the 400 in 48.92. Tom Pappas, the third U.S. decathlete, withdrew after the 100 and one long jump because of pain in his right foot.

Stepping out: A lively men's triple jump competition was won by Nelson Evoraof Portugal just shy of 58 feet. He reached 57-11 3/4 for the gold medal. Phillips Idowuof Great Britain jumped 57-9 3/4 for the bronze and Leevan Sands of the Bahamas got the bronze at 57-8 1/2.

There were no Americans in the final.

Making their point: Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic was the winner of the women's javelin with a launching of 234-33/4. Russia's Maria Abakumova came close but settled for the silver at 232-2 1/2. Germany's Christina Obergfolltook the bronze at 216-11 1/2.

There were no Americans in the final.

Doping suspension: Heptathlon silver medalist Lyudmila Blonskawas kicked out of the finals in the women's long jump following her positive doping test. The International Olympic Committee temporarily suspended the Ukrainian athlete pending a final ruling Friday (Beijing time), the same day as the medal round.